Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin (2017)

This series doesn't go down as easy as the first (for me).

The first season was more entertaining [Fei Liu!]. It had many scenes with levity. It was also loaded with bonds of friendship and loyalty. And the star was the center of the plot -- he drove it and circumvented all the subplots.

I tried hard not to compare. But midway through episode 15, I needed to go back to the first season to refresh my memory of the lineage. Too funny, I re-binged the entire series. That's how much I enjoyed it.

In season two, after a year and a half, I just reached episode 22 and realized several of the reasons I don't like it as much. #1. No Fei Liu! And it's all drab and misery. Exception: Brief scenes with PingJing and The Crown Prince (3?). The stars, the heroes, are kind of passive. Plus they're the victims just reacting to things happening to them and around them. Yet the bad people in this season aren't greedy and have no real aim; they're just out for revenge for sick twisted reasons. I suppose the following could be considered spoilers:
• "I was married to the wrong man and the emperor didn't favor me, I'll kill all of the royal family"!
• "My mother was a murderer. Because she killed herself, I must avenge her"!
• "My city was plagued and quarantined. I'll kill the whole country slowly and painfully'!
• "The emperor doesn't give the 12 year old crown prince any meaningful duties. He delegates them to his brother's family. I must kill them all to protect my son"!

Until I find something I enjoy more,... LOL

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Living up to the expectations set by a highly sucessful first series is a big challenge. This sequel did well. However, I am still emotionally attached to the first series. But by itself, this sequel deserves all the thumbs up.

The writer did very well with stirring up emotions in both series. Her literary poetic style is very appealing.

However to nitpick: imaginative medical and toxicological conditions take the shine away and made the script sound like children fairy tale - need something more realistic for future stories. Generally I do not like the old school Chinese music style of loud coarse and harsh tone - the second ending theme song would be perfect if that part can be smoothened over. Also the dances look awkward, not sure how much really reflect the style of that age.

The romance between Lin Xi and Pingjing paled in comparison to the tragic setting of Lin Shu and Nihuang, and the strong emotional display by Hu Ge and Liu Tao. But the happy ending is great.

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For fans of the original Nirvana in Fire, don't go into this thinking it's a sequel as billed and you'll be happier.

This drama, while billed as a sequel, shouldn't be. It just the same universe. One of the cute kids that were trained to fight in the first Nirvana, is now the father of the main characters.

Those who haven't watched the first Nirvana, you don't need to watch it to understand this one.

What I liked? Just about everything though, I did fast forward on "bad guys, plotting, bad things again" stuffs, especially around the 30ish episodes.

This drama has an excellent blend of serious and humorous  moments that  don't seem shoehorned in.

If you've already watched a few dramas in this drama I would recommend watching this one without reservations. It's that entertaining.

What I didnt like and I know it's going to make people mad....Xioming's face

Obviously he had some more work done so I spent most of his first few episodes onscreen being distracted by his new squarer face. I couldn't put my finger on it but then I was reminded of Luo Jin  from Princess Wei Young and how much his face had squared since Diamond Lover.

But, it looks good on him. So, congrats to his doctor, I'm just going to miss that seriously chiseled butt-chin of his.

I wouldn't watch it again but, that's because dramas like these aren't really my thing.

I wouldn't recommend this to someone completely new to the genre.

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Something is rotten in the state of Liang

Nirvana in Fire 1 is a masterfully paced tale of revenge and a fight for the throne in a quest for truth and justice. Its story is mostly linear and thus builds satisfyingly to its climax near the end with a fittingly bittersweet denouement. NIF 2 is a different kind of story. More complex in its character construction and narrative, the second installment gets off to a slower start and because of its story structure, may encounter some bumps along the way for some viewers.

There are essentially 2 major parts to this story, the first part ending with Xiao Pingzhang's death, and the second culminating in Xiao Yuanqi's revolt. As such, although you may consider Xiao Pingjing to be the main character, he has to share screen time with his brother in the first part of the story. At other points in the story, he is either in a coma or hanging out on Langya Mountain, while the plot is moved along by some of the supporting cast. What is more, he comes off as somewhat of a callow youth in the beginning of the drama, although he is very intelligent and quick on his toes.

Once viewed as a whole, however, NIF 2 becomes an epic tale of the frailty and courage of human nature - a timeless tale reminding us that as much as we aspire to be our better selves, we may just as easily fall prey to our vices. There is always a sense of unease when watching this, whether it is watching the creepily Rasputin-like Puyang Ying achieve his devious goals or the pitiful Yuanqi fall further and further to his inevitable defeat. We see the bonds of brotherhood and family tested as the balance of power between the Imperial court and the military hangs forever in a delicate balance. Pingjing's coming-of-age story is interwoven throughout, and I found myself very much moved as he struggles to deal with the deaths of his brother and father and his identity as the son of the Old Prince of Chang Lin.

The older cast definitely elevate this drama with their performances, but the younger cast do a fine job in their roles. The grounded production and stirring music round out this excellent drama worth watching and re-watching.

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NIF 1&2: Different storylines but similar themes. A worthy sequel!

This is my first review after watching so many K & C dramas. I know I’m very late to the party but I’m so glad I finally watched NIF and then NIF2 back to back. While I enjoyed NIF very much, it is NIF 2’s characters that have really gripped my heart and left me reflecting on the story. I thought NIF ended well and brought closure to the whole Chiyan incident but watching NIF2 brought home the fact that the after effects of injustice never truly ends as one ponders the “what-could-have-beens”.

The Chiyan incident, that brought down Prince Qi and the Lin clan, formed the backstory of NIF. The first season focused mainly on Lin Shu, the sole survivor from the Lin family, and his quest for clearing their name of the crime of rebellion; season 2 turned the spotlight on Prince Qi’s descendants who now carry the banner of Changlin, the army formed in memory of Lin Shu.

Watching the Changlin men and remembering that Xiao Tingsheng is the son of Prince Qi, the wrongly-accused Crown Prince in NIF who was sentenced to death, I can’t help but keep thinking what a great line of emperors they would have made! At the same time, I also appreciated how wise it was of Prince Jing and Lin Shu to decide not to tell Tingsheng his true identity in NIF. Would he have been consumed with justice or ambition and chosen to fight for his claim to the throne instead of supporting his brother? Were his decisions shaped by who he is by nature or because of the immense gratitude he, as one born in prison, felt as the adopted son of Prince Jing? How much would anyone’s sense of entitlement affect them?

Like many others, I too love the character Pingjing. But I do not see his life as a glimpse of what Lin Shu’s might have been. From the ending of NIF, I think Lin Shu was born to be a general and would have been happy to be entrenched in the royal family, with its politics and all it brings. Being in the jianghu for him was merely a means of survival. But Pingjing, being the younger son, had always preferred to be in the jianghu. He was just fulfilling his responsibilities and others’ expectations of him when he put on his armor. The fact that he did, in the end, live as his heart desired is the saving grace of Prince Qi’s line to the throne being unjustly discontinued.

I also enjoyed the romance arc between Pingjing and Linxi. The slow build-up because of her misgivings brought greater gratification when she followed her heart, chose to support his choices and wait patiently for him but without compromising her life goals. One of my favorite lines from this drama is hers: “my heart will always be waiting for you, but I (my footsteps) can’t stay in one place for you.” She says this but ah….the ending scene!

Overall, both NIF & NIF2 are definitely worth watching. The themes of familial ties and responsibilities, friendship and patriotism that many loved in NIF continues in NIF2. The writers also cleverly wove elements of the first season into the second, connecting the two without it feeling being very contrived. These touches enhances the enjoyment of part 2 yet allows it to stand alone. NIF has a more cohesive storyline but a somewhat bittersweet ending. NIF2 may feel segmented but I think the plot works well for the sake of the characters’ growth arcs. Also, it ends on a more hopeful note, at least for our main protagonist. Maybe, hopefully, NIF3 will give us a glimpse of Pingjing’s happiness.

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Slow and uninteresting

Only watched it since I had just finished the prequel Nirvana in Fire since its so highly rated (it was not good). This sequel wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't good.

Characters: Most of the acting and character development was not good. The actor/character that stood out was Xiao Ting Sheng (the MLs father). He portrayed the character as a fierce and loyal hero at the same time a kind and selfless brother, father and prince. the ML was just ok. The FL was terrible. She didn't have any real emotions or any changing facial expressions . The chemistry between the ML and FM couple was non-existent. I was not invested in them and could not care less if they ended up together or not. The supporting male and female couple - they had chemistry and their love story was endearing.

Music: nothing memorable.
Costumes: average
Pacing: the show was so slow, I skipped through a lot of it

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